Many years ago I was invited to a 50th birthday celebration in an unfamiliar neighborhood. The party was for a woman I didn't know very well, so I was already a little nervous as I approached the house, built on a hill at the end of a long driveway, one that I'd have to back down in the dark later that evening. I realized as I stepped out of my van that I had left the keys in the ignition. I had to lie down on the ground to retrieve the spare set in a magnetized little packet attached to the underside of the vehicle. I was flustered and mortified.
Today I felt a little unsettled when I left the hospital after spending the afternoon in my husband's hospital room at the University of Minnesota, where he's recovering from knee replacement surgery. Everything is going well but I was tired and a little edgy. I decided to stop at Birds Unlimited, since the bluejays come for peanuts every morning and I felt guilty knowing their feeder has been empty for several days.
When I returned to my car, no keys. They were within sight in the vehicle, easily retrievable if only I had left the window open a little. I looked around for a cab, but saw only Lincoln Navigators, Volvos, Mercedes, Porsches and other high end vehicles in the parking lot around me. No one in that busy strip mall looked even remotely familiar, and, though I was fairly conspicuous with two large bags of bird food at my feet, I didn't even get a passing glance. Walking home -- over a mile with heavy bird food -- seemed out of the question as darkness fell and fatigue descended.
I called my son, Chris, looking for the number of a taxi. He sprang into action and a few minutes later a Lincoln Town Car limo pulled up behind me. I settled into the comfortable back seat with my peanuts and bird food on the floor. I was impressed by the availability of complimentary water, mints and gum.
The driver dropped me off at my front door and waited while I found the hidden house keys and retrieved the extra car keys. I was soon back in Highland Village and in my car. Chris had already paid for the limo and gained a new convert to Uber. Neither flustered nor mortified, I was soon home where I cracked open a beer, feeling very fortunate and happy.
